Associated PressJerry Manuel's Mets are off to a 9-12 start this season.

Look, a 9-12 record after a month of baseball isn't the end of the world.

The fact of the matter is if the Mets go on a tear here and take a bite out of the Phillies like they were a cheesesteak, all this is going to be a distant memory.

That said, don't the 2009 New York Mets remind you of the 2008 Mets so far?

And the 2007 Mets for that matter.

Same M.O.

The top fantasy players and statistical compilers in the game -- ahem, Mr. Wright -- yet the inability to get either the big hit or the big out necessary to win with the regularity it takes to be a legit playoff contender.

Gut-wrenching blown leads. Rallies that consistently fall just short.

An early lead, then a ton of base runners stranded. Either a quality start mixed with an Aaron Heilman moment -- yesterday's was courtesy of J.J. Putz -- or a lousy start followed by a stellar relief outing.